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Hooves of All Kinds: From Pigs to Giraffes with Ben Pollak

Release Date: 06/17/2025

Rooting: The Instinct That Drives Your Pig

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn takes a deep dive into one of the most frequent questions she receives from new pig owners: “Why does my pig root so much?” Rooting—whether in the dirt, on furniture, or on you—is one of the most recognizable and instinctual behaviors pigs display. But it’s often misunderstood. Autumn breaks down the five main reasons pigs root: to search for food, to cool off and regulate their temperature, to build nests, to communicate and bond socially, and to explore...

Joanna on the Joys (and Challenges) of Raising Rosey

The Pet Pig Podcast

Instagram: pig_ture_perfect_rosey A short bio about Rosey’s family: My name is Joanna and I am married to my husband, Nathaniel. We live 10 minutes north of Boston,MA. We have one dog, one pig and two cats. When we first got Rosey (when she was 8 weeks old) we had 2 dogs and one cat, but sadly one of our dogs passed away last November. I am a school adjustment counselor and I am a licensed mental health counselor. Luckily I have the summers off :) My husband is in graduate...

Why Pigs Love Food: Appetite, Taste & the Gut-Brain Connection

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn explores one of the most common (and misunderstood) pig behaviors: their obsession with food. If your pig begs constantly, roots endlessly, or always acts hungry—there’s science behind it! You’ll learn: • That pigs have 15,000–20,000 taste buds and how that makes food even more rewarding for them • How their gut-brain connection differs from ours, making them feel less full—even after eating • How food activates the pig brain’s reward system and why begging often becomes a learned...

Thinking Pigs: What Science Says About Your Pig's Mind, Emotions and Personality

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn dives into groundbreaking research from the paper Thinking Pigs: A Comparative Review of Cognition, Emotion, and Personality in Sus domesticus by Dr. Lori Marino and Christina M. The study compiles decades of scientific research and confirms what pig parents have known all along—pigs are highly intelligent, emotionally complex, and deeply individual animals. Autumn breaks down the most powerful findings from the review, exploring: • Cognition: Pigs are strategic thinkers...

Piglets & Toddlers: More Alike Than You Think

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this insightful and entertaining episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn explores the many ways that pet pigs behave like toddlers—and why understanding these behaviors is crucial for any current or future pig parent. Drawing from her two decades of experience, Autumn breaks down common pig traits like tantrums, selective eating, curiosity, and emotional expression, highlighting their parallels to young children. Listeners will learn why pigs need supervision, structure, routine, and social interaction just like...

Hot Days, Cool Pigs: Why Summer Hydration Is Critical

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn highlights the life-or-death importance of keeping pigs cool and hydrated during hot summer months. Whether a pig lives indoors or outside, summer heat poses real dangers—especially since pigs don’t sweat and can’t regulate their body temperature like humans. -Hydration is essential: Fresh, clean water is non-negotiable. Cold water helps cool pigs internally, but it must be paired with external cooling methods. -Cooling methods:...

From Hollywood to Hay: Lena Dunham on Life with Her Pigs

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Autumn welcomes actress, writer, and director Lena Dunham to share her deeply personal and refreshingly honest journey into the world of pig parenting. From childhood dreams of being a pig farmer (without knowing what that truly meant) to life with her two beloved pigs, Victor and Cherry, Lena brings humor, insight, and an immense love for pigs to the mic. Lena recounts the magical — and messy — experience of bringing Victor home for the first time, learning how different pigs...

Piggy Playlists: How Music Influences Pig Behavior

The Pet Pig Podcast

In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, titled “Piggy Playlists: How Music Influences Pig Behavior,” host Autumn explores the surprising connection between music and pig behavior. Drawing from her own experiences at Autumn Acres Mini Pet Pigs, Autumn shares how classical music helps calm pigs during labor and reduces anxiety in weaning piglets—often leading to relaxed, curious, and even playful behavior. She dives into scientific research that supports these observations: ...

Pig Ears: Why Gunky Isn't Gross

The Pet Pig Podcast

Podcast Episode Summary: “Pig Ears: Why Gunky Isn’t Gross” In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn addresses a common concern among pig owners: gunky pig ears. While dark, greasy earwax might seem alarming—especially to dog and cat owners—Autumn explains that in pigs, it’s completely normal and actually serves as a natural defense mechanism. Pig ears are open to dirt and debris, so this thick wax helps protect the inner ear. Autumn emphasizes that unless a pig is showing...

Piglet SCAMS for Sale Near Me

The Pet Pig Podcast

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a serious and frustrating issue in the pig community—piglet scams. These scams are popping up all over Facebook and the internet, tricking people into thinking they’re buying a piglet, only to steal their money with nothing to show for it. I break down the red flags to watch for, like fake photos, new social media pages, and suspiciously low prices. Scammers even steal real breeders’ photos—including mine—and pretend to be us. I’ve had people contact me thinking they...

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https://thefarriergroup.com/

Episode Title: Hooves of All Kinds: From Pigs to Giraffes with Ben Pollak

In this episode, we welcome Ben Pollak, founder of The Farrier Group, for a fascinating conversation about hoof care, animal trust, and a truly unconventional journey into the world of pig wellness.

From growing up in Brooklyn and working as a chef, to traveling across the world on a motorcycle and finding himself on a wildlife sanctuary in Australia, Ben’s path to animal care is as inspiring as it is unexpected. His passion for animals—especially pigs—shines through as he shares his experiences working with livestock in the Australian outback, professional rodeos, and research universities. He brings a unique combination of hoof care expertise, natural handling methods, and deep empathy to his practice.

Ben discusses how his diverse background (including ballroom dancing!) influences the way he handles pigs—focusing on body language, trust-building, and support rather than restraint. He explains the foundation of The Farrier Group and its mission to raise the standard of hoof care for pigs nationwide. Ben also offers valuable insights for pig owners about what to expect during trims, why restraint-free methods matter, and the importance of allowing pigs to feel safe and seen during care.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to properly care for a pig’s hooves, how to handle an anxious or untrained pig, or how far passion and compassion can take you in building a career that changes lives—this episode is for you.

Topics include:

• Ben’s adventurous path to animal care

• The problem with restraint-based hoof trimming

• Why most pigs are overfed (and how that affects hoof health)

• How The Farrier Group is setting new standards in the industry

• What owners can do to prepare for successful trims

• Why not to trim your own pig’s hooves

Whether you’re a pig parent, sanctuary manager, or just love a good story of reinvention and purpose, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and hoof wisdom.

Autumn’s Links:

Website:

https://www .autumnacresminipetpigs.com/

Email:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs

Educational Membership Group:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs/p/autumn-acres-educational-membership-group

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/autumnacresminipetpigs/

Facebook:

HTTP://Facebook.com/autumnacresminipetpigs

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